Archive for August, 2010

Transportation leaders from the Ithaca, NY area met last week to discuss the benefits of participating in ITNEverywhere, ITNAmerica’s proposed solution for transportation issues in rural and small communities. ITNAmerica staff led by Katherine Freund, the Founder of the ITN, joined the Ithaca-area transportation leaders via conference call. During the discussion about using of information technology to improve mobility, the Ithaca team asked how existing local system investments could be leveraged. Ms. Freund explained that one of the objectives of ITNEverywhere is to utilize local data, and that any community collaboration in this area would be welcomed.

The primary goal of ITNEverywhere is to develop a suite of transportation software programs to meet the needs of individual communities. The idea is to compliment current public transportation systems, as well as other community transportation resources.

As ITNAmerica continues to develop the ITNEverywhere model, communities in New York, Maine, and Florida are beginning to assess the community’s needs and how ITNEverywhere would fit.

Despite a 3.6% drop in national giving in 2009, this fiscal year marked a record year of giving for the communities of Southwest Florida; a record ITNSarasota is extremely grateful for. Charitable giving from The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has helped ITNSarasota grow from averaging 6 rides a week this past January, to 22 rides per day.

The Community Foundation has agreed to a five-year commitment to ITNSarasota, which has resulted in a combined total of over $250,000 over the past three years. Their donations have helped ITNSarasota pay for insurance, scheduling, mileage reimbursement and other administrative costs.

Without the generous support of The Community Foundation of Sarasota County and other invaluable foundations in Southwest Florida, the area would not have seen such remarkable growth in charitable giving. Organizations like ITNSarasota rely heavily on community support in order to provide their services. For more information on how you can contribute to ITNSarasota’s growth, visit their website at www.itnsarasota.org.

Westport–The freedom to travel is a wonderful thing, even if you’re heading out to a local restaurant just to get out of the house. Some senior citizens, however, don’t have such basic freedom of movement, either because they can no longer drive, or are hesitant to get behind the wheel at night.

But they don’t have to feel captive anymore. ITNCoastalCT — short for Independent Transportation Network — hits the road next month, aiming to provide transportation service 24 hours a day for seniors. Long after regional transit services have closed shop at the end of the business day, ITNCoastalCT will be there, ready to respond to a call for a trip to the weekend farmer’s market or perhaps an evening show at the Westport Country Playhouse.

ITNGreaterCincinnati (ITNGC) is partnering with the Cincinnati Reds to offer discount tickets for the Reds’ Sept. 15 home game against the Diamondbacks. Hop on board to see the Reds as they compete for the National League title in its tightest race. Ticket prices are discounted to approximately 40%-50% off the normal Reds ticket pricing. Tickets are available through http://reds.com/itngc or by calling (513)559-2200.

“ITNGreaterCincinnati is excited to work with the Reds,” said ITNGC Executive Director Nancy Schuster. “We provide such a needed service to our community, and we appreciate this opportunity spread the word while also providing Cincinnatians a chance to see the Reds in the pennant race at great prices. We can’t thank the Reds enough for giving back to ITNGreaterCincinnati and other area non-profit agencies.”

To order tickets or learn more, visit http://reds.com/itngc and use password “itn2010″ or call (513)559-2200.

ITNSarasota is excited to announce the election of four new members to their Board of Directors.

Christopher M. Pinckney: Chris is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch where he and his wife, Johanna Gustafsson, operate a wealth management practice for the benefit of affluent families and successful businesses.

Teresa K. Bowman, Esq.: Teresa is an associate attorney with the firm of Boyer & Jackson, P.A. and practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Long Term Care Planning, Probate, and Special Needs Trusts.

Nicci Kobritz, R.N. N.P: Nicci is President & CEO of Youthful Aging Home Health, one of the nation’s first, if not the first, home health care “boutique” practice.

Scott Carpenter: Scott is President of cPR – Carpenter Public Relations, an award winning public relations firm in Southern Florida.

ITNSarasota is one of the fastest growing non-profits in Sarasota County, and these new additions to the board will be instrumental in continuing ITNSarasota‘s success.

Volunteer drivers are crucial to all ITN® affiliates and are the driving force behind keeping them sustainable. Many volunteers form lasting relationships with the seniors who ride in their cars and look forward to the next time they can help someone get to a doctor’s appointment, go out to eat, or visit with family and friends. Whether you can give ten hours a week, or three hours a month, ITN can accommodate your volunteer schedule with your weekdays and weekends.

ITNSarasota, a community based non-profit agency providing dignified transportation for seniors and adults with visual impairment, has been awarded a $115,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The grant supplements part of the costs for providing individual transportation in private automobiles. Member riders can use this unique transportation service as needed 24 hours a day seven days a week; whether it’s to go grocery shopping, to the doctor’s office, for a hair cut or to take in a show.

“We would not have been able to launch this safe, affordable, and sustainable transportation alternative to the community without the caring support of the Community Foundation!” says Art Mahoney, ITNSarasota Board Chair. “We’ve implemented an innovative model whereby seniors and visually impaired adults now have access to arm-through-arm, door-through-door, cost-effective transportation when they want it and for whatever reason. That’s great news for the thousands of older adults and visually impaired in our service area.”

“I’ll be 80 years old next month, but still want to live life to the fullest, stay active and be involved in the community,” Sarasota resident and ITN member, Barbara said. “This service allows us to schedule our appointments, shopping, and visits to the Volunteer Friendship Center when we choose and not have to depend on someone else’s availability. My daughter is wonderful and can often take us places, but she has a full-time job. ITNSarasota was her gift to us and it has helped my husband and I regain some of the independence we lost when we stopped driving,” said Theresa.

ITNSarasota is one of 16 ITN affiliates in communities nationwide that replicates the successful, nonprofit membership organization begun in Portland, Maine nearly 20 years ago by Katherine Freund. Freund, now founder and president of ITNAmerica, is a national leader in senior transportation issues.

“The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has helped us launch this exciting service locally, and a diversified base of community support will keep us growing,” says ITNSarasota Executive Director, Donna Dunio. “Individuals, businesses, community organizations and most especially Volunteer Drivers are invited to contribute to and participate in this dignified transportation option for seniors and adults with visual impairment. Dunio added, “Our Volunteer Drivers are our heroes – think how rewarding your help and companionship would be to a senior who can no longer get behind the wheel!” For more information on how YOU can be a Volunteer Driver for ITNSarasota contact ITNSarasota at (941) 364-7530 or www.itnsarasota.org.”